NTSB investigations
448 cases where NTSB found Dark.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 48 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 24 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2011 | 27 |
| 2012 | 27 |
| 2013 | 25 |
| 2014 | 29 |
| 2015 | 38 |
| 2016 | 23 |
| 2017 | 29 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '03036020')) ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '03036020')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB WPR26LA182Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican AA-5 · Jurupa Valley, CAThe pilot’s decision to land at night on a runway without illuminated runway lights. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to review NOTAMs for a nightly airport closure.NTSB ANC26LA005Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Eek, AKThe pilot’s loss of directional control when the airplane encountered snow and ice on the runway while landing at night in gusting crosswind conditions.NTSB WPR26LA053Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportTecnam P2008 · Blackfoot, IDThe student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and clearance from trees while maneuvering at night.NTSB CEN26LA035Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Grantsburg, WIThe collision with a white-tail deer during the landing in dark night visual conditions.NTSB ERA26LA015Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSocata TB 10 · New Milford, CTThe pilot’s decision to depart from an unlit turf runway at night, which resulted in a loss of directional control, and subsequent runway excursion.NTSB CEN25LA356Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSikorsky S-76 · Round Mountain, TXThe flight crew’s failure to properly identify the heliport in dark night conditions, which resulted in the flight crew attempting to land and a subsequent impact with trees and terrain.NTSB CEN25LA354Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · Baldwin City, KSThe pilot’s decision to continue the night landing without runway lights which resulted in the runway overrun.NTSB CEN25LA350Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172R · Ardmore, OKThe pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.NTSB DCA25LA267Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 787 · North Charleston, SCThe ground crews improper parking of N247BZ, which left its tail protruding into the taxiway, and the JA986A flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate clearance while taxiing.NTSB ERA25LA144Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Mogadore, OHThe pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude, at night, and over water, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with power lines.NTSB DCA25MA108Accident · 67 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · Washington, DCThe Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) placement of a helicopter route in close proximity to a runway approach path; their failure to regularly review and evaluate helicopter routes and available data, and their failure to act on recommendations to…NTSB ERA25LA104Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Smyrna, TNThe pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate approach path, resulting in the airplane contacting a tree during a landing approach at night.NTSB ERA25LA073Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 560 · Atlanta, GAThe vehicle driver’s inadequate visual lookout while driving on a non-licensed vehicle roadway in restricted visibility conditions, which resulted in a collision with a taxiing airplane.NTSB ERA25LA060Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCostruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2012 Traveller · Boston, MAThe tug crew’s inadequate visual lookout while towing an airplane at night and their failure to identify a stationary airplane within sufficient time/distance to stop.NTSB ERA25FA037Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150F · Wilder, TNThe student pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA24LA113Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Melbourne, FLThe pilot receiving instruction’s failure to correctly identify the runway centerline prior to initiating the nighttime takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a runway edge light and subsequent runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB CEN24LA112Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Tupelo, MSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water during a dark night landing.NTSB ERA24FA104Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Clearwater, FLAn in-flight engine compartment fire due to a partially loose flexible fuel hose b-nut at the fuel metering unit. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot’s inability to visually identify the destination airport at night, which prolonged the…NTSB ERA24LA118Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Miami, FLTail rotor contact with an unseen object while performing a precautionary landing to a closed helipad at night.NTSB ERA24FA096Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Weston, FLThe pilots’ spatial disorientation in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in their failure to maintain altitude and a subsequent descent and impact with a swamp.NTSB CEN24FA094Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206 · Hydro, OKThe helicopter’s inflight collision with cackling geese, resulting in an inflight breakup.NTSB ERA24FA077Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith Stol CH701 · Marienville, PAThe pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating visibility conditions at night, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent descent that continued to ground contact.NTSB CEN24FA073Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Canton, TXThe pilot’s failure to attain the runway while landing at night, which resulted in an impact with trees.NTSB DCA24LA034Incident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 717 · Kahului, HIThe captain did not verify that the tow tractor had exited the area in front of the airplane before taxiing for departure. Contributing factors were the dark conditions and the absence of an illuminated hazard beacon on the tow tractor, which reduced its…NTSB ERA24LA030Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Pembroke Pines, FLThe pilot’s loss of airplane control and descent into terrain due to spatial disorientation during a solo night cross country flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-reported fatigue.NTSB ERA24FA003Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Croydon, NHThe pilot’s loss of control during the initial climb in dark night conditions due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a steep banking descent into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent night flight experience,…NTSB WPR24FA002Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Moab, UTThe pilot’s loss of visual reference to the horizon while departing during dark night, which resulted in the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA23FA358Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR20 · Toms River, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation (somatogravic illusion), which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.NTSB CEN23LA350Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Carthage, ILA collision with a fence during landing due to the crew’s reduced distance estimation and depth perception while using night vision goggles. Contributing to the accident was the low moon angle, which made viewing the fence more challenging.NTSB ERA23LA328Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Charlotte Amalie, CBThe pilots’ loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was both pilots’ lack of experience in operating in actual instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN23FA315Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150 · Houston, TXThe student pilot’s loss of airplane control in dark night conditions.NTSB ERA23LA368Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Culpeper, VAThe airplane’s impact with a deer while performing a takeoff at night.NTSB ERA23FA270Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Ebensburg, PAThe pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN23LA427Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportQuad City Challenger · Indianola, MSThe non-certificated pilot’s loss of control during the night landing.NTSB WPR23LA207Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182Q · Kingman, AZThe failure of the passenger to adequately maintain a safe distance from the airplane’s propeller and the determination to let the passenger exit the airplane with the engine running.NTSB ERA23LA222Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150M · Hernando, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstacles during takeoff at night.NTSB WPR23FA153Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMullins David J JR Glastar · Cal-Nev-Ari, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude for undetermined reasons while maneuvering to land in dark night conditions, which resulted in collision with terrain.NTSB ERA23FA181Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32R · Venice, FLThe pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation during the initial climb and subsequent steep banking descent into water.NTSB CEN23FA095Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Hooker, OKThe pilot’s decision to depart and continue the visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA23FA109Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Dawsonville, GAThe pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a loss of control in-flight due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of qualifications and…NTSB CEN23FA077Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150H · Auburn, NEThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain control after a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing while maneuvering for forced landing in dark night visual meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA23FA108Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Dayton, VAThe pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while descending over mountainous terrain at night.NTSB DCA23LA114Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2D24 · New York, NYITA Airways flight crew's incorrect evaluation of the clearance between their airplane and another airplane stopped on an adjoining taxiway.NTSB CEN23LA091Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150G · Pocahantas, IAThe pilot’s landing flare which resulted in a bounced landing and the nose landing gear collapsing. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's encounter with adverse weather conditions which led to structural icing that affected flight characteristics…NTSB ANC23FA008Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRaytheon C90A · Kaupo, HIGuardian Flight’s inadequate pilot training and performance tracking, which failed to identify and correct the pilot’s consistent lack of skill, and which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain his position inflight using secondary instruments to…NTSB CEN23FA057Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 210-5(205) · Cleburne, TXAn in-flight loss of control as a result of spatial disorientation in night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA23FA079Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Venice, FLThe pilot’s spatial disorientation during takeoff in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain a positive rate of climb and a subsequent descent into the water.NTSB WPR23LA032Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHonda HA-420 · Salt Lake City, UTThe pilot’s inadvertent attempt to takeoff on a left side of runway, rather than the centerline of runway, which resulted in a collision with runway edge lights during the night time takeoff.NTSB ERA23LA031Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172P · Elizabethtown, KYThe pilot's decision to continue the taxi without visual reference to the surface, due to his vision being impaired by darkness and glare, which resulted in the airplane’s departure from the paved surface and impact with a ditch. Contributing was the flight…NTSB CEN22LA441Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Shell Lake, WIA collision with a deer during landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.